Meg Loncharic: Power family reunites in Ireland

MegLoncharic

January 6, 2013 12:01 AM

MegLoncharic

January 6, 2013 12:01 AM

Notre Dame football fans are hoping Monday night's national championship game is the perfect ending to this year's perfect season. For members of Erie's Power family, the team's undefeated season could not have started in a more perfect place.

The opening match held in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1 provided them with a chance to see their star family member on the field, as well as all become stars themselves in Ireland's national campaign to bring those of Irish ancestry back to their roots.

The story began when Michael and Kathleen Power Fox, Erie natives now living outside of Cleveland, got word that Notre Dame's 2012 season opener against Navy would be held in Dublin's Aviva Stadium. With their youngest son, Dan, a starting defensive player on the team, they began recruiting members of Kathleen's family to go to Ireland for the game and a reunion with relatives of their parents, the late Richard and Maureen Forde Power, who emigrated from Ireland in 1953.

Soon onboard were Bridget Power Barber, and Helena Power Foxe, now residing in Palisades, N.J., who were both born in Ireland; as well as Theresa Power-Natale and her husband, Gene; Mary Ita Power Musatto; Maureen Power Anger, now residing in Chicago; and Bill Power with his wife, Carolyn, their daughter, Caroline, and Carolyn's mother, Nancy Pace.

Kathleen then set up a reunion after the game with more than 60 members of the extended Forde and Power families now residing throughout Ireland at the 51 Bar, one of Dublin's oldest pubs.

The family did not realize that they were soon to become the inaugural family for the Gathering 2013, the country's campaign to draw Americans with Irish roots back to the old sod.

When they arrived in Dublin, family members were spirited away for media interviews, and their story was featured on the cover of the Independent, Ireland's national newspaper.

Perhaps the greatest surprise was how their parents' story became the focus of remarks made by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny during the Notre Dame pep rally, when he described how Richard Power first left Ireland at the height of the Great Depression to look for work.

"He was told, 'They hire the Irish at Notre Dame.' True to those words, he was hired as a groundskeeper at Notre Dame University," Kenny told the crowd.

He went on to laud the family for returning to their parents' homeland. "You are part of us because you are part of who we were in past times, difficult times .... while our people hoped and dreamed of a new life, a better future. In the name of your forefathers and your foremothers, we welcome you home."

In a story from the Homecoming website, Kathleen is quoted about the impact of those strong ties among the Power family, Ireland and Notre Dame. "Our parents passed away a long time ago," she explains. "When Danny ran onto the field, it was the first time I felt close to home and that they were with us, just like they were 40 years ago."

The Power family hopes to plan another reunion that will reconnect even more members. For now, though, family on both sides of the Atlantic has a common hope: that the luck of the Irish is with Notre Dame for Monday night's game.

On a related note: It may be a good omen that Virginia Brown Samec, Dan Fox's great-aunt who raised his father, Michael Fox, celebrates her birthday on Monday. The resident of St. Joseph's Apartments can be heard throughout the complex cheering during every Notre Dame game.

Speaking of travel

While they were in London for an India couple's wedding in October, Nick and Kim Scott and their son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Maria Scott, took in the current show at the Cambridge Theatre, "Matilda the Musical."

"It's the hottest ticket in London now, and it will be coming to the Shubert Theatre in New York City in March," Nick Scott said.

Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the production is based on the book by children's author Roald Dahl.

"We were lucky to get tickets and concierge service on the spot," Nick said, adding that it was one of the best musical productions he has seen in terms of "great family entertainment."

As for Peek'n Peak, which Erie-based Scott Enterprises purchased in 2011, all 27 slopes are up and running, and the ski brigade is out in full force. "We were saved by the tens of thousands of people from throughout the region who were there over the holidays," Nick said. " My son Nick Jr., took his kids to Manhattan this past weekend to see 'Annie' on Broadway and said 'Matilda' is being advertised all over town, regarding its arrival in New York in March. We feel privileged to have seen it in London. It was so good that I plan to see it again in New York in the future."

Holiday reflections

Among noteworthy holiday happenings was the Scott family party for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership after-hours gathering Dec. 13, in the Gallery of the Inn's Royal Court Dining Room at Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa. More than 400 members and guests were treated to a seafood buffet and hors d'oeuvres and were given a tour of the newly renovated rooms at the inn, the serenity spa and the renovated public spaces.

Housing Authority marks 75th year

The Housing Authority of the city of Erie's 2013 annual calendar is a great read as it details, in text and photos, people who have gone through the public housing experience. This year's calendar, the 11th in the series, features a dozen who have ended up being valuable employees of the Erie Housing Authority -- six foreign-born among them. As HACE Executive Director John Horan noted on the introductory page: "The key ingredients are education, training and opportunity, ... Their individual stories are compelling."

Previous calendars -- 2003 through 2012, accessible on the authority's website, www.hace.org -- also highlight many contributions various residents have made during and after their time in public housing. Their stories are overwhelmingly uplifting. Who doesn't love Horan's credo: "It's About People"?

The Housing Authority has received several state and national awards for its Step-Up program.

The kickoff event for HACE's 75th anniversary celebration is March 11. Various festivities will be held at different sites throughout Erie's public housing neighborhoods, ending with a gala dinner-dance in October.

POSTSCRIPT: Whatever you would have your children become, strive to exhibit it in your own lives and conversation. -- Lydia Huntley Sigourney (1791-1865), American author

MEG LONCHARIC's column appears regularly in the Sunday Living section. You can call her at 454-8000; send e-mail to newsmeg@aol.com; or write to her in care of the Erie Times-News, 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534.